Multifunctional shut-off device

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional fluid shut-off device including an upstream shut-off element, a flow-rate limiter, and a downstream functional element. The upstream shut-off element presents a body in which at least one valve is disposed, and a downstream end includes an exit port to which the downstream functional element is operatively connected. At least one of the upstream shut-off element and the downstream functional element includes a retention mechanism for the flow-rate limiter. A unit including the downstream functional element is directly connected to the upstream shut-off element containing in its interior the flow-rate limiter.

The present invention relates to a multifunctional fluid shut-off devicein accordance with the introduction to the main claim.

In state-of-the-art water dispensing, for example for agricultural uses,a shut-off device, for example a valve, and a flow-rate limiter toensure that the water delivered to a pipe branch does not exceed acertain predetermined value and hence subtract it from other users, areconnected in series to a delivery nozzle. A meter is often positionedbefore the valve to meter the water delivered to each user. To simplifyassembly, devices known as water meters are available comprising a meterin series with a valve which are disposed in a single body. Theflow-rate limiting device comprises a rigid pipe flanged at its ends,with an internal flow-rate limiter comprising a venturi conduit with athroat of flexible material (normally rubber) which, as the velocity ofthe fluid flowing therethrough increases, contracts due to the pressurereduction within the throat section. This contraction determines areduction in the passage cross-section to hence limit the flow rate,which cannot exceed a predetermined value. This flow-rate limitingdevice is sealedly inserted between the valve and a downstreamoperational element, normally a delivery nozzle with a ball joint, thisnozzle being flanged at its upstream end.

To mount a separate water meter and flow-rate limiting device in a pipeand then add a delivery nozzle downstream thereof is rather laborious,as all these elements are flanged and have to be connected together withgaskets interposed therebetween to ensure a seal. To simply combine awater meter and flow-rate limiting device within a single body wouldresult in a longer and therefore heavier body weighing more than 30 kg,which would be difficult to handle and on the basis of currentregulations would require the simultaneous presence of two operators,with consequent higher costs.

Another problem is the difficulty of delivering the water in differentdirections, achieved by bending a flexible pipe connected to thedelivery nozzle, this being difficult if the pipe diameter and the waterflow rate through it are large.

Moreover a series combination of a water meter or simple valve, aflow-rate limiter and a delivery nozzle is easily subject to tamperingby users who by inserting a stick through the delivery nozzle can breakthe flow-rate limiter and hence obtain an illegal advantage.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a device whichenables the stated drawbacks to be overcome, a particular object beingto achieve simpler assembly.

Another object is to obtain a light-weight device in the whole, havingtherefore lower production and transportation costs.

Another object is to facilitate water delivery in different directions.Another object is to make tampering of the flow-rate limiter difficult.Said objects are attained by a device the inventive characteristics ofwhich are defined by the claims.

The invention will be more apparent from the ensuing detaileddescription of one embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limitingexample and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the multifunctional shut-off device, shownpartly in longitudinal section, and comprising an upstream shut-offelement joined to a delivery nozzle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the delivery nozzle andflow-rate limiter;

FIG. 3 is a view of the invention from above;

FIG. 4 is a view from the downstream end of the shut-off element withoutthe flow-rate limiter.

With reference to the figures, the device of the invention, calledhereinafter a multifunctional shut-off device 500, comprises in itspreferred embodiment an upstream shut-off element 401, operationallyconnected to a downstream functional element 413, and a flow-ratelimiter 406 which lies inside the combination of these two directlycoupled elements. The upstream shut-off element comprises a body 440 inwhich a meter 420 and a valve 430 are disposed in series, said body 440presenting an entry port 426 and an exit port 403 with an interior exithousing 411, on the bottom of which a seat 412 is provided to receivethe base of a flow-rate limiter 406. The flow-rate limiter 406 isnormally composed of a flexible throat 405 of rubbery material, adivergent portion 408 normally of rigid material and a cage 407 to haltthe deformation of the flexible throat 405. The base 424 of saiddivergent portion 408 presents a base housing 425 facing upstream to atleast partially receive the flexible throat 405. Externally, the base424 of the divergent portion 408 presents a projecting edge 462 actingas an element by which the flow-rate limiter 406 is retained, preventingit from escaping downstream. In FIGS. 1 and 2 it can be seen that in theproposed embodiment this base housing 425 completely receives theflexible throat 405, to its upstream end there being fixed theperipheral ring 423 by which the various components of the flow-ratelimiter 406 are fixed together.

The seat 412 acts as a retention means for the flow-rate limiter 406, asit restrains its upstream and translational movement, with the exceptionof translation in an axial direction downstream. Other retention meanscould also be provided to secure or lock the flow-rate limiter 406 tothe exit port 403, for example an elastic ring to be inserted into asuitable annular groove or a thread to engage a holed and threaded coverwhich grips the base of the flow-rate limiter 406 and from which thedivergent portion of the flow-rate limiter 406 emerges. The term “directretention means” signifies means provided specifically to retain theflow-rate limiter, for example a particular conformation such as ahousing, a seat or a thread, or separable means provided specifically toperhaps only partially but always directly restrain the movements of theflow-rate limiter, such as an elastic ring or a screw. Said directretention means can secure the flow-rate limiter either to the upstreamshut-off element 401 or to the downstream functional element or to both.

The “downstream functional element” is any element, directly connectableoperatively to the downstream end of the shut-off element 401, which hasa certain function, not merely that of retaining the flow-rate limiter,such as a delivery nozzle function.

A connection member comprising gripping elements 451, 452, 453 andrespective gripping counter-elements 454 enables the downstreamfunctional element to be securely connected to the exit port 403 of theupstream shut-off element. In the embodiment shown in the figures, thisdownstream functional element is a delivery nozzle 413 with a ball joint464 at its downstream end. This delivery nozzle 413 is curved tofacilitate dispensing in a determined direction. The connection memberenables the downstream functional element 413 to be rotated about theupstream shut-off element 401. The delivery nozzle also presents anupstream portion 455 to penetrate into the exit housing 411, acounteracting collar 454 being disposed on said upstream portion 455 toact as a gripping counter-element. The upstream portion 455 of thedelivery nozzle 413 terminates with an upstream end 458 which restsagainst the projecting edge 462 of the base of the flow-rate limiter 406to retain it. This upstream end 458 can also press the flow-rate limiter406 into its seat 412, to lock it.

The flow-rate limiter 406 is disposed inside the unit formed from thedelivery nozzle 413 and the upstream shut-off element 401, these beingoperatively connected together in such a manner as to enable them torotate relatively. The flow-rate limiter 406 is hence inside themultifunctional shut-off device 500. The direct retention means for theflow-rate limiter 406, such as the seat 412 which receives it, areinside the shut-off element 401, and more generally are inside the unitformed from the downstream functional element 413 and the upstreamshut-off element 401 directly connected operatively thereto.

The gripping element comprises two tangential holes (in FIG. 3 only thehole 451 can be seen) provided close to the exit port 403 of theupstream shut-off element 401 and arranged to receive two fixing pins452, 453, which in the example are two fixing bolts 452, 453 threaded attheir end, to be screwed into the tangential holes.

With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the side surface of thesefixing pins 452, 453 laterally extends into the exit housing 411, togenerate an interference with the counteracting collar 454 locatedupstream.

The gripping counter-elements comprise a counteracting collar 454disposed on the outer surface of the upstream portion 455 of thedelivery nozzle 413, which penetrates into the exit housing 411 of themultifunctional meter. This stop collar 454 acts as a contacting surfacefor the side surfaces of the two fixing bolts 452, 453. The presence ofthe two fixing bolts 452, 453 and of the counteracting collar 454prevents axial translation of the delivery nozzle 413 while at the sametime enabling it to rotate, so that the downstream end of the deliverynozzle 413 can be easily orientated in the required direction. TwoO-rings 456 forming a seal element are housed in two suitable grooves460 inside the exit housing 411, upstream of said counteracting collar454, so that they surround the upstream portion 455, to tightly seal it.

A second collar, known as the stabilizer collar 459, is present on theouter surface of the upstream portion 455 of the delivery nozzle 413 butspaced from the counteracting collar 454, to provide a supplementarysupport surface for opposing the bending moments which act on thedelivery nozzle 413. The counteracting collar 454 and the stabilizercollar 459 are sufficiently spaced apart to enable the fixing bolts 452and 453 to pass between them. FIGS. 1 and 3 also show a connector 461for a pressure gauge, disposed downstream of the valve 430 but upstreamof the delivery nozzle 413.

The multifunctional shut-off device 500 is installed by connecting theentry port 426 of the upstream shut-off element 401 to the pipe thefluid through which is to be shut off. The two O-rings 456 are disposedin their respective grooves 460 within the exit housing 411. Theflow-rate limiter 406 is inserted into its seat 412. The downstreamfunctional element 413 is brought into contact with the exit port 403 ofthe upstream shut-off element 401. The upstream portion 455 of thedownstream functional element 413 is inserted into the exit housing 411until both the counteracting collar 454 and the stabilizer collar 459enter the exit housing 411. On inserting the upstream portion 455 intothe exit housing 411, the projecting edge 462 of the flow-rate limiter406 interferes with the upstream end 458 of the downstream functionalelement 413, to hence retain the flow-rate limiter.

The fixing bolts 452, 453 are inserted into the tangential holes 451 andtightened down, said counteracting collar 454 being located immediatelyupstream of the fixing bolts, such that the downstream functionalelement 413 is prevented from withdrawing. The fixing bolts 452 and 453enable the delivery nozzle 413 to be rotated, to hence be more easilyorientated for delivering the water or more generally the fluid in therequired direction.

The multifunctional shut-off device 500 is normally positioned with itsaxis vertical, so that the delivery nozzle 413, curved to form an angleof 90°, directs the exit fluid in a horizontal direction. The deliverynozzle can hence be easily orientated in the direction chosen by thefinal user.

In FIG. 3 it can be clearly seen that the valve 430 used in the exampleis of elliptical port type, such as that of WO 2004/005778 A1. Thisreduces the overall axial length and the total weight of themultifunctional shut-off device. Any other valve can evidently be used.The meter 420 used is preferably of tangential type, with an impellerwhich penetrates only partially into the fluid, and with its axis ofrotation perpendicular to the direction in which the fluid flows. Anymeter can be used.

The fluid, for example water for irrigation use, enters the body 440from the entry port 426, passes through the meter 420 and then throughthe valve 430. If the valve is open, the water passes through theflow-rate limiter 406 and proceeds to the delivery nozzle 413, and fromthere for example to an irrigation hose.

By presenting a convergent divergent conduit, the flow-rate limiter 406produces a vacuum in the throat section by the venturi effect. Thisvacuum is greater the higher the fluid velocity. By the effect of thisvacuum, the flexible throat 405 contracts to hence limit the fluid flowrate.

The cage 407 prevents the flexible throat 405 from contacting too muchand hence being sucked downstream. The cage 407 does not have to beclosed, it being sufficient that it prevents contraction of the flexiblethroat beyond a certain limit. The flow-rate limiter could also beformed in an different manner, for example without comprising the cage407 but instead comprising a metal disc moulded into the rubber.

In the irrigation sector the downstream functional element is nearlyalways a delivery nozzle 413 with a ball joint at its downstream end.This downstream functional element is also known simply as a ball joint.

The upstream shut-off element could possibly also not comprise a meterbut only a valve.

As an alternative to the described embodiment, the direct retentionmeans for the flow-rate limiter could be disposed on the delivery nozzleinstead of on the upstream shut-off element 401. For example, thedelivery nozzle could comprise a seat for the base of the flow-ratelimiter to restrain it from flowing downstream. For example a seat forthe base of the flow-rate limiter could be made in the upstream portionof the delivery nozzle. The delivery nozzle could also present a housingto receive not only the seat for the flow-rate limiter but also the exitport of the body of the upstream shut-off element, so essentiallyinverting the initially described embodiment.

Hence at least one from said upstream shut-off element 401 and saiddownstream functional element 413 must comprise direct retention meansfor a flow-rate limiter 406, which is disposed in the interior of theunit consisting of the downstream functional element 413 directlyconnected operatively to the upstream shut-off element 401.

The present patent also protects a delivery nozzle to be connectedoperatively to the exit port 403 of an upstream fluid shut-off element401 and comprising direct retention means for a flow-rate limiter 406,such as a seat, to receive the base of a flow-rate limiter and to retainit by preventing it from sliding downstream, said flow-rate limiterbeing hence at least partially internal to the delivery nozzle and inany event internal to the combined delivery nozzle and upstream shut-offelement when operatively connected together. In the most common case,said direct retention means are also inside the delivery nozzle. Thedelivery nozzle protected by the patent is rotatably connectable to theexit port 403 of an upstream shut-off element 401 such as that alreadydescribed. This rotatable connection is made by grippingcounter-elements such as a counteracting collar 454.

Advantageously said delivery nozzle is curved and presents a ball jointat its downstream end.

The present patent also protects an individual upstream shut-off element401 comprising a body 440 in which at least one valve 430 is disposed,said body 440 presenting a downstream end provided with an exit port 403to be operatively connected to a downstream functional element 413, saidupstream shut-off element 401 further comprising direct retention means412 for a flow-rate limiter 406, said direct retention means 412 beingarranged to retain the flow-rate limiter 406 such that it lies at leastpartially within said upstream shut-off element 401. Normally saiddirect retention means are also internal to the upstream shut-offelement 401. The body 440 can also hold a meter 420 connected in serieswith the valve 430. Advantageously the meter is of tangential type andthe valve of elliptical port type.

As the multifunctional shut-off device 500 comprises a meter, a valve, aflow-rate limiter and a delivery nozzle all contained within a singledevice, with an outer body formed by joining only two pieces together,assembly is extremely simplified, with lower labour cost.

As the flow-rate limiter 406 is inside the multifunctional shut-offdevice 500, the unit is particularly compact and lightweight, and hencewith a lower production, transport and assembly cost.

An advantageous characteristic of the invention is that the orientatablecurved delivery nozzle 413 allows more comfortable use while at the sametime protecting the flow-rate limiter 406 from tampering.

1-29. (canceled)
 30. A multifunctional fluid shut-off device comprising:an upstream shut-off element; a flow-rate limiter; a delivery nozzle;the upstream shut-off element presenting a body in which at least onevalve is disposed, and a downstream end includes an exit port to whichthe delivery nozzle is operatively connected; a connection memberpresenting gripping elements and respective gripping counter-elements torotatably connect the delivery nozzle to the exit port of the upstreamshut-off element; at least one of the upstream shut-off element and thedelivery nozzle comprising retention means for the flow-rate limiter;and a unit including the delivery nozzle being directly connected to theupstream shut-off element containing in its interior the flow-ratelimiter.
 31. A multifunctional shut-off device as claimed in claim 30,wherein the retention means includes direct retention means configuredto retain the flow-rate limiter in a direct manner.
 32. Amultifunctional shut-off device as claimed in claim 31, wherein thedirect retention means is inside the unit including the downstreamfunctional element directly connected operatively to the upstreamshut-off element.
 33. A multifunctional shut-off device as claimed inclaim 30, wherein the delivery nozzle presents a ball joint at itsdownstream end.
 34. A multifunctional shut-off device as claimed inclaim 30, wherein the delivery nozzle is curved.
 35. A multifunctionalshut-off device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the flow-rate limiter isretained in position by the delivery nozzle operatively connected to theupstream shut-off element.
 36. A multifunctional shut-off device asclaimed in claim 31, wherein the direct retention means comprises a seatprovided in the exit port of the upstream shut-off element to at leastpartially house a flow-rate limiter.
 37. A multifunctional shut-offdevice as claimed in claim 31, wherein the direct retention meanscomprises a seat in the downstream functional element to at leastpartially contain and retain a flow-rate limiter.
 38. A multifunctionalshut-off device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the delivery nozzlepresents an upstream portion to be inserted into an exit housing in theexit port of the upstream shut-off element.
 39. A multifunctionalshut-off device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the exit housingcomprises a seal element.
 40. A multifunctional shut-off device asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the gripping elements comprise at least onetangential hole to receive a fixing pin.
 41. A multifunctional shut-offdevice as claimed in claim 40, wherein the fixing pin is a fixing bolt.42. A multifunctional shut-off device as claimed in claim 30, whereinthe gripping counter-elements comprise a stop collar disposed on theupstream portion of the downstream functional element.
 43. Amultifunctional shut-off device as claimed in claim 42, furthercomprising a stabilizer collar disposed on the upstream portion of thedownstream functional element.
 44. A multifunctional shut-off device asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the flow-rate limiter comprises at leastone flexible throat and a divergent portion, the base of the divergentportion presenting a base housing operatively facing upstream to atleast partially receive the flexible throat.
 45. A multifunctionalshut-off device as claimed in claim 44, wherein the base housing of thedivergent portion presents a projecting edge that interferes with thedownstream functional element to prevent downstream sliding of theflow-rate limiter.
 46. A multifunctional shut-off device as claimed inclaim 30, wherein within the body a meter is connected in series withthe valve.
 47. A delivery nozzle to be operatively connected to an exitport of an upstream fluid shut-off element, comprising for a flow-ratelimiter: direct retention means to retain the flow-rate limiter suchthat the flow-rate limiter lies at least partially within the deliverynozzle; and gripping counter-elements for engaging correspondinggripping elements of the upstream shut-off element, to rotatably securethe delivery nozzle to the exit port of the upstream shut-off element.48. A delivery nozzle as claimed in claim 47, wherein the directretention means is inside the delivery nozzle.
 49. A delivery nozzle asclaimed in claim 48, wherein the direct retention means comprises a seatfor a flow-rate limiter to prevent the flow-rate limiter from slidingdownstream.
 50. A delivery nozzle as claimed in claim 47, wherein thegripping counter-elements comprise a stop collar disposed on an upstreamportion of the delivery nozzle.
 51. A delivery nozzle as claimed inclaim 47, being curved.
 52. A delivery nozzle as claimed in claim 47,further comprising a ball joint at its downstream end.
 53. An upstreamshut-off element comprising: a body on which at least one valve isdisposed, the body presenting a downstream end comprising an exit portto be operatively connected to a delivery nozzle; gripping elements forrotatably connecting the delivery nozzle to the exit port; and for aflow-rate limiter, direct retention means to retain the flow-ratelimiter such that the flow-rate limiter lies inside a unit comprising ofthe delivery nozzle directly connected to the upstream shut-off element.54. An upstream shut-off element as claimed in claim 53, wherein thedirect retention means to retain the flow-rate limiter such that theflow-rate limiter lies at least partially inside the upstream shut-offelement.
 55. An upstream shut-off element as claimed in claim 53,wherein the direct retention means is inside the upstream shut-offelement.
 56. An upstream shut-off element as claimed in claim 53,wherein the direct retention means comprises a seat provided in the exitport to at least partially house the flow-rate limiter.
 57. An upstreamshut-off element as claimed in claim 53, wherein the gripping elementscomprise at least one tangential hole to receive a fixing pin.